Fatal Case of Diphtheria and Risk for Reemergence, Singapore

Emerg Infect Dis. 2018 Nov;24(11):2084-2086. doi: 10.3201/eid2411.180198.

Abstract

We report a fatal autochthonous diphtheria case in a migrant worker in Singapore. This case highlights the risk for individual cases in undervaccinated subpopulations, despite high vaccination coverage in the general population. Prompt implementation of public health measures and maintaining immunization coverage are critical to prevent reemergence of diphtheria.

Keywords: Corynebacterium diphtheriae; Singapore; bacteria; contact tracing; diphtheria; public health; reemergence; toxigenic; transients and migrants; vaccines.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Vaccines / immunology*
  • Bangladesh
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / diagnosis*
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / epidemiology
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / prevention & control
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / transmission
  • Contact Tracing*
  • Corynebacterium diphtheriae / immunology*
  • Corynebacterium diphtheriae / isolation & purification
  • Diphtheria / diagnosis*
  • Diphtheria / epidemiology
  • Diphtheria / prevention & control
  • Diphtheria / transmission
  • Disease Notification
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Phylogeny
  • Public Health
  • Singapore / epidemiology
  • Travel
  • Vaccination Coverage
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Bacterial Vaccines